Casa Rosa is a 1988 custom built pool home with 1900 square feet, 2 bedrooms, and 2 1/2 bathrooms on a 1/4 acre. This post is all about an easy and economical solution for privacy in the porch area while the newly planted podocarpus hedge has time to grow.
Contents
Screened Porch at Purchase
The original plans depict a screen porch of 13′ wide by 24′ 8″ long. Sometime between the plan drawings and the build, the porch was extended to the end of the house adding approximately 10′ to the length. This increased the final size of the porch to 13′ wide by 35′ long.
Existing Wood Fence
The existing wood fence had served its duty of providing privacy to the screened porch. Even prior to the house purchase we knew the fence had to be replaced. After a year renovating the interior of the home, it was time to tackle the fence. The choice for this project was simple, a classic black aluminum spaced picket fence. The temporary hick-up with this choice was the lack of initial privacy until a hedge had time to grow.
Solving the Temporary Privacy Issue
Very soon after installing the new fence, 3-gallon podocarpus were planted along the inside of the fence. Podos grow at a rate of 2-feet per year. Hence lies the problem, these new plantings would need at least three years to provide privacy for the porch. An immediate solution that did not break the bank was warranted.
IKEA’s reputation of providing affordable solutions was the solution!
The Ritva curtain panels were an easy choice. Although these curtains are 100% cotton, their price tag (39.99 for two panels) and easy wash quality provided the perfect solution. The curtains are sold in four sizes: 57″ wide by either 65″, 84″ 98″, or 118″ long. The Räcka rod, Betydlig bracket, and Uddnate finials completed the item list for the privacy project.
The porch back side width is 156″, side width (between the two posts) is 100″, and the height is 106″. Since we wanted the curtains to flow, more curtain panels than width were needed.
FYI: Stronger winds caused the rods to come off the brackets. We secured the rods to each of the brackets with fishing line and have not had any more issues.
List and cost of items purchased for the privacy project:
- 4 (8 panels) Ritva curtains · 4 X $39.99 = $160
- 2 Räcka rods · 2 X $8.99 = $18
- 5 Betydlig brackets · 5 X $1 = $5
- 2 (4 FINIALS) Uddnate finials · 2 X $8 = $16
The total cost for the project came in at about $200. Not a bad price for privacy!
After Privacy Project
We are thrilled with the new privacy on the porch. While we continue to wait for the podos to grow into a thick hedge, we deliberate on whether this temporary solution will gain permanency. I mean they just add a sense of peace to the space.
Until next time…
· izzy
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